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MEDIA RELEASE: Manitobans can drive change by voting for Worst Roads in province
WINNIPEG, March 23, 2021 – Following a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, CAA’s Worst Roads campaign is back and ready to give Manitobans their say on the province’s road conditions. For 9 years, CAA Manitoba’s annual Worst Roads campaign has influenced change by giving road users the unique opportunity to highlight what roadway improvements are top of mind and where they need to be prioritized by various levels of government. As Manitobans use the roads each and every day to reach their destinations, maintaining the quality of our roads is important in keeping essential workers, goods and services flowing and our communities safe. “Nobody enjoys a bumpy commute or getting stuck in traffic. Whether you are a driver, a cyclist or a pedestrian—these road conditions affect everyone,” says Heather Mack, government and community relations manager for CAA Manitoba. “Now is your chance to take action and help decision-makers understand what challenges you are facing on Manitoba roads.” Crumbling pavement and potholes continue to be the most critical concerns identified by motorists, followed by traffic congestion. Other common issues also include poor road signage and limited or non-existent cycling or walking infrastructure. “As people are encouraged to stay home and telework during the pandemic, we should take advantage of lighter traffic patterns as an opportunity for road repair,” adds Mack. CAA Manitoba continues to advocate longer-term, dedicated infrastructure funding which helps municipalities prepare, plan, budget and execute on repair backlogs and capital projects. These investments aim to reduce the wear and tear on Manitoba’s infrastructure and taxpayer expenses paving the way for safer travels and a healthy economy. Past success stories from this campaign include the new Empress Overpass constructed after taking the list’s top spot in 2018 and 2019, and the reconstruction of Victoria Ave., in Brandon, MB, which is now one of the most improved roads after taking the list’s top spot in 2013. CAA Manitoba is calling on drivers, cyclists, transit users and pedestrians to voice their concerns and participate in this campaign dedicated to improving the province’s roads. Nominations for CAA’s Worst Roads are open today and can be cast at caaworstroads.com until April 18, 2021. To encourage participants to act on their concerns, they will be entered into a grand prize draw to win a $100 CAD gas certificate, an Evercraft® Pressure Washer, a CAA Deluxe emergency car kit, three (3) piece Atlantic luggage set, a NAPA® car detailing kit and a CAA branded water bottle. Once voting closes, CAA will compile a list of the 10 worst roads in Manitoba. CAA Manitoba will present the list of 2021 Worst Roads to local and provincial officials to help inform future funding and planning decisions.
MEDIA RELEASE: Stay Alert Stay Safe: Daylight saving time ends soon
Winnipeg, MB, October 29, 2020 – CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) is reminding all motorists and pedestrians to stay alert as we turn our clocks back this weekend. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. The return to standard time means fewer daylight hours and reduced visibility for all road users. “Road safety and pedestrian safety are a shared responsibility. Taking precautions and being aware of other road users helps us all arrive at our destinations safely,” says Heather Mack, manager of government and community relations, CAA MB. As we are navigate our new normal, working and commuting during a pandemic, we are facing additional obstructions this year. Physical distancing means pedestrians may step out onto the road to keep their distance from others or take longer to cross at intersections. It is important now more than ever to remind road users to follow the rules of the road, and be patient. What motorists can do to stay safe: Be alert to pedestrians stepping out onto the road. Physical distancing on sidewalks means pedestrians may step out onto the road at any given moment. Always look for pedestrians crossing the road. Be attentive while driving and yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, school crossings and crossovers. Mind your blind spots. Be aware of blind spots when making turns at intersections. Stay focused and vigilant behind the wheel. Avoid distractions inside and outside of your vehicle. Slow down in school zones. Reduce your speed and obey speed limits in school zones and residential neighbourhoods. Prepare for the unexpected. Residential streets and school zones have different types of obstacles, such as children playing outdoors, riding bikes, skateboarding, etc. Be cautious and considerate. Be alert around stopped transit vehicles and be courteous to pedestrians with different mobility needs that may require more time. Use your lights. Motorists should use their full lighting system at when it gets dark and in low visibility situations. What pedestrians can do to stay safe: Be careful when physical distancing on the sidewalk. Try to avoid stepping out onto road and if you end up stepping on the road, ensure there are no vehicles in the lane. Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions and be alert while crossing the street. Follow the flow. Follow signals and cross at designated locations or crosswalks. Stop, look, and listen. Ensure all traffic has come to a complete stop before crossing the road. Keep an eye out. Make eye contact with motorists—never assume that drivers can see you or know your intentions. Be visible. Pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing or accessories at night to help with visibility. CAA MB are providing FREE “Slow Down Please” lawn signs to anyone living in Winnipeg. When well-placed, these signs aim to make roads safer for children and those living in the community. Remember to check local bylaws before installing signs on private property. Anyone can pick up a maximum of two signs at any CAA Store, while quantities last.
Winnipeg, MB, September 3, 2020 – COVID-19 has changed the way we do many things and, the return to school is no different. Many Manitoba students are heading back to school next week and CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) is reminding everyone to slow down and take extra caution while travelling through school zones. Pedestrian safety begins with drivers, and this year more than ever, it’s important to put away distractions such as phones and be extra attentive in school zones, be it a parent driving or a child walking or biking to school. “As students prepare to reunite with friends and classmates after a six-month hiatus, many might forget to take the extra precautions needed to stay safe. This means there is an even bigger responsibility to watch for children travelling to and from school,” says Heather Mack, manager of government and community relations for CAA MB. Drivers can also use the following CAA tips to ensure they are staying safe in school zones: Make eye contact with children: With the excitement of back to school, anticipate that children may not easily see or hear your moving vehicle. Make eye contact with passing pedestrians and cyclists. Reduce traffic by walking: Incorporate a short walk into your commute to school. CAA encourages parents to park a block away and walk to school, if possible, to reduce congestion and make school zones safer. Slow down: Know the speed limit in your neighbourhood’s school zones and respect them. Watch for more school buses: Always stop for the buses’ flashing lights and wait for children to get safely on or off. Stay alert and watch for children or parents crossing the road when the bus moves on. Choose a safe spot to drop off and pick up your children from school: Follow your school’s rules and don’t park illegally, it can put your child’s safety at risk. Instead, use the designated drop off areas or consider a spot a bit farther away from school that is easily accessible and safe. The above tips are crucial in maintaining a safe school zone. According to CAA poll, nearly 25 per cent of drivers reported witnessing a near miss or collision in a school zone, more than half of which involved a child. The poll also revealed 70 per cent of Canadians said they have witnessed someone speeding in a school zone. CAA supports safety in school zones through the CAA School Safety Patrol® program. The program was developed to protect, educate and empower elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices.
MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Manitoba Launches Summer Food Drive for Families in Need during COVID-19
Winnipeg, MB, July 14, 2020 – CAA Manitoba is launching the summer edition of ‘Tin for the Bin’, a store-wide food drive to help stock the shelves at local food banks throughout the province. From now until August 8, CAA Manitoba is encouraging Members and non-Members to visit any of the four CAA Manitoba stores to drop off canned goods and other non-perishable food donations. Each person who makes a donation will receive a coupon for 15 per cent off of a $30 purchase in store. “At CAA Manitoba, we continue to find ways to give back to the community during these unprecedented times,” says Heather Mack, manager, government and community relations, CAA Manitoba. “We are counting on the support of the community to make this summer food drive a success so that we can ensure every family has food on the table as we know the need is great right now during COVID-19.” Collected food will be donated to Winnipeg Harvest which helps nearly 64,000 Manitobans each month and Samaritan House in Brandon, which provides food hampers once every two weeks to individuals and families in need. Food can be dropped off at any of the following CAA Store locations: 870 Empress Street, Winnipeg 1555 Regent Ave W., Kildonan Place, Winnipeg 501 St. Anne's Road, Winnipeg Unit C, 305 18th Street N., Brandon For more information visit: https://shop.caamanitoba.com/pages/bin-bdn https://shop.caamanitoba.com/pages/bin-wpg
MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Manitoba celebrates School Safety Patrols at first-ever virtual event!
Winnipeg, MB, June 18, 2020 – The CAA School Safety Patrol (SSP) Team hosted its first-ever virtual ‘Patroller Jam’ on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 via Event Stream. This year-end celebration honoured the commitment of all Manitoba and Ontario Patrollers in a safe and innovative way. CAA Manitoba is proud to recognize the efforts and achievements of School Safety Patrollers across the province for their dedication to keeping children safe on their way to and from school and in school zones. “These students go above and beyond to keep their community safe and we wanted to ensure we still recognized them despite the pandemic. This event was an amazing way to celebrate these dedicated kids and all that they’ve done this school year,” says Heather Mack, manager of government and community relations, CAA Manitoba. The event was a great success with co-hosts DJ, Sarah Barrable-Tishauer and choreographer, Boneless, entertaining the 1300 patrollers who tuned in! The event also included a live chat, interactive games and an award ceremony. Click here for a highlight reel of the CAA ‘Patroller Jam’ for your coverage. For 84 years the CAA Manitoba SSP program has been keeping students safe. Approximately 300 schools and over 8,000 students participate in the CAA School Safety Patrol program in Manitoba each year. The program is a colloboration between CAA, the police, school boards, teachers, program partners, parents and students. Those involved give their time to ensure students and peers are safe at road crossings throughout Manitoba. During the ‘Patroller Jam’, CAA Manitoba, in partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service - School Engagement Section, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) and the Manitoba Moose Hockey Club, announced the recipients of three Patroller awards: City Wide Placing-- Clifton School Most Improved School-- École Précieux-Sang Louise Staples Award Recipient—Remington L. from Stevenson-Britannia School For more information, visit www.schoolpatrolmanitoba.com.
MEDIA RELEASE: Empress Street tops list for second year running
WINNIPEG, May 8, 2019 – The votes are in, and Manitoba’s Worst Road for 2019 is Empress Street in Winnipeg for the second consecutive year. “Manitoba’s Worst Roads campaign is about uniting the public in sharing their views,” says Tim Scott, president of CAA Manitoba. “Even with construction taking place on Empress Street at this moment, voters identified it as the Worst Road once again. Empress is a major arterial road that many Winnipeggers rely on to get where they are going. Properly maintained roads lead to safer travels and a healthy economy, but the public understands that further delay leads to a direct financial impact on them. We’re proud to give a voice to Manitobans who want to pave the way for better roads in the province.” Over 2,700 votes were cast for more than 400 roads. Road users of all types voted for the streets they wanted to focus on. Potholes and crumbling pavement continue to be the most critical issue identified by motorists, followed by traffic congestion. Cyclists pointed to potholes and poor cycling infrastructure as their top gripes, while pedestrians cited inadequate walking infrastructure as their biggest problem. Seven of the top ten Worst Roads are in Winnipeg, while three are rural roads. In second place is Provincial Trunk Highway 34 found in western Manitoba near Austin. Eighth place is Provincial Trunk Highway 23, which passes through numerous communities in southern Manitoba, and tenth is Provincial Trunk Highway 32 by Winkler. Some of the Winnipeg roads that have appeared on the Worst Roads list in previous years include Saskatchewan Avenue, Sherwin Road and St. James Street. Earlier this year, both the federal and provincial governments announced that a combined total of approximately $300 million will be spent to improve 350 kilometers of the highway network across Manitoba, and the City of Winnipeg recently announced that one-time federal gas tax funding will be spent on road repairs, road safety initiatives and the promotion of active transportation. “We know that CAA’s ongoing advocacy efforts are working and that governments are listening,” says Scott. “CAA will continue to bring the voice of Worst Roads voters to government and work with stakeholders on how to create infrastructure and transportation that we can all be proud of.”
MEDIA RELEASE: Manitobans can vote on Worst Roads in province
WINNIPEG, March 20, 2019 – Manitobans from across the Province rely on the existing road network to travel each and every day. Whether you are driving, cycling, walking or taking public transit, many of these roads are in a state of disrepair. Today, representatives from Bike Winnipeg join CAA Manitoba in encouraging all road users to focus on safety and infrastructure challenges when they vote on their Worst Roads for 2019. “Everyone has a role to play in making our roads safer, and that’s why we want to hear from all Manitobans about their concerns,” says CAA Manitoba president Tim Scott. “Our annual CAA Worst Roads campaign has influenced change for over seven years by taking input and bridging the public’s interest in the state of good repair of our roads and bridges. In fact, a recent survey of CAA Manitoba members showed that 90 per cent of respondents were concerned about the state of Manitoba’s roads. Moreover, nearly 75 per cent of CAA Members believe that not enough is being done to maintain roads, and that repairs are not occurring in a timely fashion.” Best in class asset management includes prioritizing connectivity for commuters, fixing infrastructure, focusing on safer roads, and includes cycling lanes and increasing transit options. A well-balanced road user program will reduce the wear and tear on Manitoba’s infrastructure and taxpayers’ pocketbooks. “Properly maintained roads and a healthy transportation system translates into safer travels, a healthier economy, and efficient delivery of goods and services,” says Raymond Chan, Government Relations, CCG Club Group. “From our analysis, further delay in road repairs leads to greater costs for governments and has a direct financial impact to the public.” Worst Roads are classified as having potholes, crumbling pavement, poor road signage, limited or nonexistent cycling or walking infrastructure, traffic congestion, or limited crossing opportunities. Mark Cohoe, Executive Director of Bike Winnipeg, sees a variety of issues that need attention. “When people vote in the CAA Worst Roads campaign, they should think of how the roads affect people walking and cycling along our streets as well as those driving along them. Potholes are very dangerous for someone on a bike, and new bike facilities provide a tremendous improvement in safety, comfort, and connectivity. That’s where CAA’s Worst Roads campaign comes in – people on bikes can have their voice heard on infrastructure safety by nominating roads,” says Cohoe. Voting runs until midnight on April 16, 2019. Manitobans can nominate their Worst Road online at caaworstroads.com or through the CAA app. Voters can identify themselves as motorists, cyclists, pedestrians or transit riders and pinpoint a particular stretch of the road for crumbling infrastructure, safety and congestion.
Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment to host third in a series of livestreamed public lectures This episode of Molecules to Minds will explore Dr Laura Shapiro’s research into how children’s experiences of learning to read impacts on how they learn in the future The one-hour livestream will be followed by a Q&A and round table discussion Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment (IHN) will host a livestreamed public lecture in the series Molecules to Minds on Aston University’s digital channel Aston Originals on Thursday 3 November 2022. Dr Laura Shapiro, a reader in psychology, will present her lecture ‘From gobbledygook to goblins: how a child learns to crack the written code’. Laura will reveal the hurdles and fortunes on the journey from spoken to written language and will discuss how our experience of learning to read changes the way we learn forever. Dr Shapiro's research focuses on the causes and consequences of children’s language and literacy development and is shaped both by fundamental scientific questions and by the concerns of practitioners and policymakers. The lecture will be co-presented with James McTaggart from the Highland Council, Scotland and hosted by Professor Jackie Blissett, co-director of IHN. Laura said: “Most adults take reading for granted, yet for a beginner reader, writing is just gobbledygook. The ability to crack the written code underpins all subsequent learning and provides the key to discovering new worlds and fictional friends.” After the livestreamed lecture, Dr Shapiro and guests will host a Q&A and round table discussion, where audience members can address researchers with their questions. The panel includes a variety of guests: James Cook, headteacher at Cawdor Primary, Scotland, Roxanne Mahroof, a parent and Dr Pamela Wadende a senior lecturer in education at Kisii University, Kenya. Dr Shapiro added: “Being able to read is like a key to the adult world: it underpins our ability to learn. Our research shows that strong language skills are needed to learn to read, and the journey to mastery is a long one. “The good news is that getting better at reading helps you learn more from each thing you read, and in turn spurs you to read more widely. Warning: reading can be addictive.” The lecture is targeted at anyone interested in literacy development in children and young people, including academics, teachers, parents and young people themselves. The livestream will take place at 16:00 – 17:00 BST on Thursday 3 November on the Aston Originals YouTube channel. To register for this event please visit our Eventbrite page.
ChristianaCare Spins Out CorriXR Therapeutics, New Gene Editing Start-Up
Commercial biotechnology venture will harness the power of gene editing to revolutionize patient care with faster, more accurate diagnoses ChristianaCare today announced it has spun out its first commercial biotechnology private start-up company, named CorriXR Therapeutics. CorriXR Therapeutics (pronounced Cor-ix-er; from Galician meaning to correct or edit) will use CRISPR gene editing technology to develop new, clinically relevant oncologic therapeutics in areas of unmet medical need, starting with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Its close relationship with ChristianaCare and the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute uniquely positions it to research and develop innovative, patient-centered therapies. The new start-up company has been boosted with $5 million in seed financing from ChristianaCare and Brookhaven Bio. “We are excited to spin out CorriXR Therapeutics, which has an enormous opportunity to use the incredible power of gene editing to revolutionize patient care by delivering faster and more accurate diagnoses, targeting treatments and preventing genetic disorders,” said Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, ChristianaCare president and CEO. The company has developed unique CRISPR/Cas biomolecular tools that disable the genome of a tumor cell but not the genome of a healthy cell, which enables target selectivity. CorriXR Therapeutics will license technology from the Gene Editing Institute and work closely with its scientific researchers and clinical oncologists at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. The Gene Editing Institute’s integrated bench-to-bedside approach connects leading-edge science to patient care. “CorriXR Therapeutics is the next phase of the Gene Editing Institute’s evolution and impact as an incubator for groundbreaking technology in a patient-first approach to research,” said Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., chief executive officer of CorriXR Therapeutics. “The novel way we are using CRISPR-directed gene editing technology in solid tumors, beginning with a hard-to-treat form of lung cancer, has enormous promise as a treatment option to improve the lives of people with life-threatening disease.” The CorriXR Therapeutics team includes experienced biotechnology executives and world-renowned scientists and clinicians. The executive team is led by Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., chief executive officer, and Brian Longstreet, chief operating officer. Kmiec is also the executive director and chief scientific officer of ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in the fields of molecular medicine and gene editing, having discovered many of the molecular activities that regulate the efficiency of human gene editing. Longstreet, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, is a seasoned pharma and biotechnology industry veteran with over 30 years’ experience, beginning at Schering-Plough and then Merck & Co. Recently, he has helped to build start-up biotechnology companies. Earlier this year, ChristianaCare restructured its Gene Editing Institute into a wholly owned subsidiary, which positions it to advance research to develop therapies using CRISPR gene editing technology and to fast-track discoveries for commercial application. The new structure also enables it to expand its educational outreach using its CRISPR in a Box™ educational toolkit and to develop its analytic software program, DECODR™. The Gene Editing Institute originated in ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute in 2015.
Simple 20-20-20 screen rule really does help with eye strain, research shows
Scientists find that a short break to look away from screen every 20 minutes improves symptoms of eye strain for computer users Aston University researchers used special software to monitor participants’ gaze for two weeks, measuring symptoms before and after First time that guidance has been scientifically validated. It’s long been recommended as a way of easing eye strain while working at a computer screen. Now the 20-20-20 rule – taking a break of at least 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, to look at least 20 feet away - has been confirmed by scientists at Aston University to help ease some of the symptoms of prolonged computer use. It’s estimated that at least half of people using computers in their regular work have some form of digital eye strain, resulting in eye surface problems including irritation and dryness, or vision issues such as headaches or blurred vision. Humans normally blink around 15 times each minute. When staring at screens, this number decreases generally to half that rate or less. That can lead to dry, irritated, and tired eyes, but twenty seconds focusing elsewhere is long enough for the eyes to relax enough to reduce the strain. This is the first time that the 20-20-20 guidance rule has been properly validated. Researchers at Aston University’s College of Health and Life Sciences set up their study with the help of 29 participants who suffer from symptoms of eye strain. Special software downloaded onto the participants’ own laptop computers used the built-in laptop camera both to check if a user was sitting at the screen and to monitor their gaze direction every few seconds. After 20 minutes of continuous screen viewing, the programme flashed up a message, asking users to rest for 20 seconds while looking at any distant target around 20 feet away, such as out of the window or across a room. The message couldn’t be removed until the task was performed correctly, as measured by the app. Participants’ digital eye strain symptoms were measured before and after two weeks of using the reminders, and one week after completing the study. Results showed a marked decrease in symptoms including dryness, sensitivity and discomfort. Professor James Wolffsohn, Professor of Optometry at Aston University, who led the research in collaboration with the University of Valencia, Spain, said: “The one previous study merely asked people to carry out the suggestions; but here the access control on the software meant we could be sure that participants really had looked away every 20 minutes. We saw a consequent improvement in the symptoms of the group as a whole.” Researchers noted that after the study, the participants’ eye symptoms returned to what they had been before the intervention. Professor Wolffsohn says: “We are planning to conduct longer term studies to see whether we can teach eyelid muscle memory impulses to blink more often during digital viewing, to help mitigate this chronic issue without long term use of reminders.” The findings confirm that people should try and take breaks from their screens. He added: “Although we used sophisticated software, it’s easy for others to replicate the effect by setting a timer on their phone, or downloading a reminder app. It’s a simple way of reminding yourself to take regular breaks for the good of your eyes.” The effects of breaks on digital eye strain, dry eye and binocular vision: Testing the 20-20-20 rule was published in Contact Lens and Anterior Eye journal.